Diseases of the esophagus : official journal of the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus
-
The purpose of this study was to examine the role of induction chemoradiation in the treatment of potentially resectable locally advanced (T2-3N0 and T1-3N+) esophageal cancer utilizing a large national database. The National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) was queried for all patients undergoing esophagectomy for clinical T2-3N0 and T1-3N+ esophageal cancer of the mid- or lower esophagus. Patients were stratified by the use of induction chemoradiation therapy versus surgery-first. ⋯ Following propensity score matching analysis, the use of induction therapy maintained a significant survival advantage over surgery-first (5-year survival: 37.9% vs. 28.7%, P < 0.001). Treatment with induction chemoradiation therapy prior to surgical resection is associated with significant improvement in long-term survival, even after adjusting for confounders with a propensity model. Induction therapy should be considered in all medically appropriate patients with resectable cT2-3N0 and cT1-3N+ esophageal cancer, prior to esophagectomy.
-
Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has been developed as a minimally invasive endoscopic treatment for achalasia for years. However, the optimal length of submucosal tunnel and myotomy of muscle bundles during procedure of POEM has not yet been determined, so we aim to assess safety and efficacy of modified POEM with shorter myotomy of muscle bundles in achalasia patients. Consecutive achalasia patients had been performed modified POEM with shorter myotomy, and assessed by symptoms, high-resolution manometry, and barium swallow examinations before and 3 months after POEM for safety and efficacy evaluation. ⋯ Only three patients were found to have gastroesophageal reflux disease on follow up. Modified POEM with shorter myotomy under endotracheal anesthesia and CO2 insufflations shows its good safety and excellent short-term efficacy in the treatment of achalasia. But further studies are warranted to assess the long-term efficacy.